Meadowood Frequently Asked Questions....

GEOCACHING – You Are the Search Engine!

Geocaching is a relatively new sport which combines the use of Global

Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology with the search for a hidden cache

in the outdoors. Geocachers (people searching for a cache) follow GPS

coordinates and sometimes clues in the search for a geocache using their

personal GPS units. The sport is growing in popularity among both

children and adults.  A geocache is typically a water tight container which contains at least a

log book and items for trade. When a geocacher locates a cache they write

the date, time and any other information they want into the log book. If

the geocache is large enough it may contain items for trade. The items are

typically of dollar-store value. The rule of the sport is if you decide to

take an item then you must leave one. Geocachers also log which items they

traded. Once you get home you can log into the Geocaching website and

register your find. You can also leave notes for the geocache owner or log

that you were unable to find their geocache.

Geocaches come in sizes from micro (typically a 35 mm film canister size)

to very large. The container can take any shape or color but they are never

buried. They can be concealed inside an old tree, behind a rock or covered

with leaves. The "hide" is really only limited by the geocache owners

imagination. Geocaches are also rated on how hard it is to find the

geocache (Difficulty) and the distance or difficulty in reaching the

geocache (Terrain). Some caches are very easy to find while others may

require special skills or equipment.  Meadowood Recreation Area's first geocache contained the

infamous "Meadowood squirrel". Geocachers who found the geocache moved the the

squirrel to the next geocache they found, where it was found again and

moved on. The Meadowood squirrel has now welcomed a newborn in a delivery room, traveled

throughout the United States, and been reported in Iceland, Germany, San Francisco and

elsewhere! To find geocaches placed in the Meadowood Recreation Area and read about the

Meadowood squirrel, please follow the link below or use the zip code 22079 on the above

link: 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?zip=22079

The Meadowood Squirrel started its travels at the Meadowood Scramble. Meadowood

Squirrel's adventures include visits to Iceland and Germany as well as visiting a newborn baby

girl.